Cowboys' shot in the arm with returning players **merged**

[jazzcat22]

getting back Lawrence will help if nothing for rotation ( he might need a few games to get back in football shape )

Nzeocha the jury is still out on, need to see how he performs in regular season

honestly, this defense is suffering from anaphylaxis and are in dire need of an Epinepherine shot and the only thing they are getting is a Vitamin B shot. I would hope we are SERIOUS players for defensive help before the trade deadline

Just make sure those shots don't have any PED's or HGH or any other substance in them.
Maybe forgo the shots and just a hard kick in the arse may suffice.

 

[jazzcat22]

Im glad we got Durant back, and I'm still in the camp of we should have never cut Bruce Carter and Durant from what I see on the field

They weren't cut. They were Free Agents, and got offered bigger contracts at the time.

 

[Eric_Boyer]

the biggest one is missing. Romo will improve this offense

 

[jazzcat22]

It's like Jerry himself created that list to sell more tickets and pizzas.

Maybe the pizzas and beers, the tickets are already sold. Unless they are party passes I guess. LOL.

 

[guag]

honestly, this defense is suffering from anaphylaxis and are in dire need of an Epinepherine shot and the only thing they are getting is a Vitamin B shot.

I love this analogy.

 

[Verdict]

Lawrence may be the best DE on the team, but that's not saying much. He's an average, 8 sack a year guy. He will be an improvement, but not a difference maker by any stretch.

Rolondo is finished.
Gregory is too, at least for this year. Maybe for good.
I wouldn't rely on Tapper. His injury is a big ?

Eight sacks is a difference maker. He replaces the weakest defensive end on the roster. That upgrade is significant if he returns to form.

I know you feel like Taper won't contribute, but if there was no chance of that happening I think he would have gone to IR by now.

 

[Verdict]

Nzeocha is by far the most athletic LB on the roster. Just need to get him on the field

I really think he might turn out to be the biggest upgrade to this defense. If Tapper turns out to be what we thought he would be when he was drafted, both current DE starters will become reserves.

 

[Doomsday101]

Not sure about a shot in the arm doing the trick as much as not shooting themselves in the foot.

 

[Direwolf63]

Eight sacks is a difference maker. He replaces the weakest defensive end on the roster. That upgrade is significant if he returns to form.

I know you feel like Taper won't contribute, but if there was no chance of that happening I think he would have gone to IR by now.

Your definition of a difference maker is different than mine.

Von Miller is a difference maker. JJ Watt is a difference maker. Khalil Mack is a difference maker. Demarcus Lawrence is NOT a difference maker.

 

[tyke1doe]

Depends on Nzeocha

You really think the Cowboys want to deal with McClain any further?
I was a big fan of McClain's, but I'm even tired of his antics.
The Cowboys gave him a chance to resurrect his career, and he repays them by getting hit with a 10-game suspension.
I'm tired of relying on players who aren't reliable and available. Hopefully, the Cowboys are too, though I doubt it.

 

[tyke1doe]

That boy was trouble from the beginning and should never had the priviledge of wearing the Star. He is only partially interested in playing football. Too bad because he had real talent.

I was okay taking a chance on him. I was hoping he would work out. But whenever I hope for players like this, it always goes against my better judgment. Observation and experience told me McClain, Hardy and Gregory are who they revealed themselves to be based on the patterns and signs they displayed in their behaviors and lives. That doesn't mean they can't change - that's where hope comes in - but it's not surprising that they don't and can't.

 

[cowboys2233]

Ro is probably 300 lbs right now.

Something tells me that if we got one look at Ro, the idea of him actually coming back to this team would be so ludicrous, it wouldn't even merit discussing. Yes, #3 and #4 are total pipe dreams, no pun intended.

 

[btcutter]

You should rethink 3&4.

Actually shouldn't even think about 3&4..

 

[Satchel89]

Lawrence is the only player on that list that will make an impact. That's just my opinion. What exactly is Nzeocha's injury? They say it's nothing serious but he doesn't practice and he doesn't play. There's obviously something seriously wrong with Tapper. McClain is in the same boat has Gregory. I don't think either guy plays again for the Cowboys. I'm a huge McFadden fan but they don't need him. And they drafted Smith who won't see the field either. Not the defense I was hoping for

 

[morasp]

When Scandrick gets healthy and shakes off the rust he will make a bigger impact. Just his presence on the field makes a difference. You could see him getting them lined up before the snap Sunday.

 

[Kolemmitt]

Your definition of a difference maker is different than mine.

Von Miller is a difference maker. JJ Watt is a difference maker. Khalil Mack is a difference maker. Demarcus Lawrence is NOT a difference maker.

No offense, but you have an odd definition for "difference maker." To me, a difference maker is not necessarily one of the top three defensive players in the league, but someone that makes a positive difference.

Last year, after Hardy started playing Lawrence was one of the most productive defensive players in the league. During the last half of the season he was 2nd in sacks and had a bunch of TFL etc.Of course, I know that was because he faced a lot of single blocks, but right now our DE's are facing single blocks on almost every play and they are not doing anything. Offenses are doubling down on our DT's , which is part of the reason we aren't getting the production out of them that we thought we would. Its also why we lined up with four DT's for much of the 2nd half last week. When Lawrence comes back defenses will have to decide to focus on him or the DT's. Just having a guy that can routinely beat single blockers will help a ton.

 

[haleyrules]

I was okay taking a chance on him. I was hoping he would work out. But whenever I hope for players like this, it always goes against my better judgment. Observation and experience told me McClain, Hardy and Gregory are who they revealed themselves to be based on the patterns and signs they displayed in their behaviors and lives. That doesn't mean they can't change - that's where hope comes in - but it's not surprising that they don't and can't.

I felt the same about Hardy. Not so much McClain because l really never thought his heart was in playing football. Gregory...well there is still some "hope" in his case. He has some talent and at least wants to play. He needs to find a way to beat the tests or stop smoking during the season. He's a pothead...but he didn't murder anyone. The pot issue is a bit overblown by the League.

 

[Verdict]

Your definition of a difference maker is different than mine.

Von Miller is a difference maker. JJ Watt is a difference maker. Khalil Mack is a difference maker. Demarcus Lawrence is NOT a difference maker.

A difference maker is someone who is better than the person he is replacing. That by definition, is a positive difference. Why not just set some unrealistic standard that no one can ever meet so you can always be unhappy and complain? Wait, maybe you are one of those posters already!

 

[Manwiththeplan]

There is literally no chance RMcClain plays for Dallas this year. Once his suspension is over, he will either report and get cut (and get to keep 2 games worth of his signing bonus) or not report which means we get it all back.

 

[Manwiththeplan]

And you literally can't have as little experience as Gregory and contribute at all after being away from football (including training camp) as long as he's been away. It was gonna be a stretch even if he was only suspended 4 games, due to conditioning and missing all of training camp. But him coming back at that point, when he can't work out with the team for 14 weeks, would only lead him to getting hurt.